Mind Games: Determination, Doubt and Lucky Socks: An Insider's Guide to the Psychology of Elite Athletes

by Annie Vernon

A fascinating insight into the psychology behind elite-level sports.

Mind Games discusses concepts used in sports psychology in a way that is understandable to the watching public, sports fans and sports-haters alike. Annie Vernon draws on her own experiences as an Olympic medalist, interviews with a wide range of people from other sports, and input from experts to answer the question: What is it about our psyche that makes pushing the mind and body to their limits such a basic human desire?

Annie speaks to athletes from a broad spectrum of sports around the globe, including basketball’s Shane Battier and John Starks, NFL star Ryan Fitzpatrick, fencer Tim Morehouse, and baseball’s Craig Breslow and Tino Martinez, tennis’s Judy Murray, polar explorer Ben Saunders, triathlete Chrissie Wellington, skeleton-bob star Lizzy Yarnold, runner Jo Pavey and sailor Ben Ainslie, along with coaches and sports psychologists from both Olympic sports and their professional equivalents.

Whether it be performing under pressure, coping with nerves, teamwork, or building self-belief in the face of adversity, the methods that elite sports-people use are also relevant to everyday life. But sports psychology is still regarded as something of a mystery. How exactly do elite sports performers harness the power of their mind in pursuit of physical perfection?

After looking closely at areas such as motivation, competitiveness, gender, and teamwork, Annie Vernon uncovers the underlying psychological principles behind the sports that everyone enjoys.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Olivia Law]

This was a fun, chill read. I LOVE all things elite sport and most things psychology. It was super interesting how Vernon managed to incorporate so many different backgrounds and interviews in this short book. Would definitely recommend if you have a background in high-level performance. #relatable

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this but while it's an interesting read it just didn't engage me fully. It felt more like a lightweight collection of essays than a rounded whole.
Psychology is naturally a very individual matter, so what does that mean for team sports? With TeamGB's success in recent years, this could have been absolutely fascinating.

Contains a lot of rowing-related anecdotes - perhaps inevitable given Vernon's background - but not enough meat. Too much insider, too little investigation.

[Joel Fauson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for anyone interested in the psychology behind athletic performance. I’m sure there are many other books out there on the topic but this one is highly readable and draws from a number of athletes in many different sports. The author is a world champion rower and a silver medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Women’s 4x. Highly recommend. Has a chapter on the dynamics in coaching, too.

[Sambasivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is an acclaimed rower having won multiple international medals. She has carried out a research across a set of elite athletes to get into what goes in their mind to motivate them. Good read.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interesting takeaways from the book, especially the coaching chapter, but it wasn’t a very engaging read - it was just a series of quotes really from elite athletes, with a few snippets of research thrown in for good measure. Disappointing, for me.

[Christian Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like it, but it seemed like too many over-long interview quotations not sufficiently well digested. An awful lot about how athletes react to their coaches, and less of the more general sports psychology and analysis of athlete motivation than I had been looking for. Still worth a read.

[Stuart Sellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engagingly written and interesting look at how elite sportspeople deal with the mental demands of sport. Not sure there was that much takeaway for a non-elite though.

[Stephen Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight into the life of a professional athlete. Looking at all aspects, from is an athlete born, how you have to look into yourself and lastly how you have to be couched.

A great read

[Olubunmi Adewumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a second read

[Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conversational & informative read that reveals beautifully, the great variety in what motivates an elite athlete. Evidence based but relaxed in tone, this book is as instructive as it is enjoyable. As an American man, I appreciate the fresh insights and phrasing of a British author, as well as the female perspective. Highly recommend for coaches, athletes & fans alike.

[Jacqui Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle humour. Thought it might be heavy going but easy to read, with humour and mentions of chocolate, probably essential when training for elite sport.

[Clare Bowyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read it again, Annie has an amazing use of footnotes and gave a great insight into the mindset of elite sportspeople.

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so normal to feel nervous pre-match and have superstitions in stuff you do.